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Puppy Obedience Training

Puppy Obedience Training in Columbia, SC

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An adorable puppy being held by their owner - get professional puppy obedience training in Columbia, SC with Dog Training Elite today.

Start Training Young with DTE

Puppy Obedience Training in Columbia, SC

Training is one of the most important steps in raising a well-mannered dog. Pups are eager to learn from a young age, and structured training helps prevent unwanted behaviors before they become habits.

DTE offers professional puppy obedience training in Columbia, SC that is designed to meet your needs. Our experienced trainers focus on building strong communication, reinforcing positive behaviors, and preparing puppies for more advanced training techniques as they grow.

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A little puppy sitting in grass, contact Dog Training Elite Midlands SC today.

Puppy Essentials Webinar

Free 70-Minute video

$45 Value

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Our trusted puppy class is now available "on-demand" from the comfort of your home! This webinar video is designed for owners of puppies age 8-16 weeks old, and will be accessible to you for free after completing the form below or with the purchase of one of our puppy packages!

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Our webinar includes education on the following topics:
  • Introducing a new puppy to your home
  • Health & well-being
  • Veterinary care & vaccines
  • Nurturing a good temperament
  • Scruffing & calming signals (e.g. dog yoga)
  • Basic Treat Obedience Including: Come, sit, loose-leash walking, and down
  • Puppy Corrections (Stop biting, digging, jumping, etc.)
  • Crate Training / Housebreaking
  • Socialization Tips
  • Environmental Hazards
  • Puppy Enrichment
  • Caring for Your Puppy

The Benefits of Puppy Training

Dog Training Elite

Early training shapes a puppy’s behavior for life. Teaching structure, commands, and impulse control early makes daily life easier and sets the stage for a well-behaved dog.

Without proper guidance, puppies can quickly develop habits like jumping, barking, or chewing that become harder to correct over time.
Training strengthens communication and trust, creating a better relationship between owner and dog.
Exposure to new people, places, and other dogs helps puppies become more adaptable and reduces anxiety in unfamiliar situations.
Obedience commands provide control in unpredictable situations, keeping puppies out of harm’s way.
An adorable puppy being trained by the experts at Dog Training Elite - get Columbia puppy obedience training today.

Puppy Training 101

Key Commands For Puppies

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Obedience commands help puppies understand what is expected of them and how to respond in different situations. These skills are fundamental for shaping a well-behaved and responsive dog:

  • Down: The "down" command teaches a puppy to lie down and stay in place until released. This command helps with impulse control and keeps a dog calm in busy environments or when guests visit.
  • Break: "Break" lets the puppy know they are free to move after following a previous command. This command helps structure training by showing the puppy when a command is over and they are allowed to move.
  • Heel: "Heel" teaches a puppy to walk calmly at the owner’s side rather than pulling ahead or lagging behind. Practicing this skill improves leash control, makes walks more enjoyable, and helps the dog stay focused in public settings.
  • Come: A reliable recall command is one of the most important skills a dog can learn. "Come" trains a puppy to return immediately when called, helping to prevent dangerous situations like running into traffic or getting lost.
  • Leave It: "Leave it" teaches a puppy to ignore or drop objects they shouldn’t touch, such as harmful food, household items, or dangerous materials. This command helps prevent destructive behavior and keeps the puppy safe.

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An golden retriever puppy outdoors - recieve expert guidance and training today from Dog Training Elite Midlands SC.

What to Expect from Dog Training Elite’s Puppy Program

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Training a puppy can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time owners. Professional training makes the process easier by providing clear structure, proven methods, and expert guidance to help puppies learn faster and with better results.

Dog Training Elite offers in-home training programs structured to meet the needs of each dog. When you sign up for our puppy training program, you can expect:

  1. Initial Assessment: Our trainers will provide a personalized evaluation of your puppy’s temperament, behavior, and current skills to create a customized training plan.
  2. Training Schedule: Private, in-home sessions are scheduled to fit your routine, allowing your puppy to learn in a familiar environment with real-world distractions.
  3. Clear Goals: Training focuses on impulse control and basic commands, helping your puppy develop respect and responsiveness.
  4. Owner Involvement: Hands-on guidance ensures you feel confident reinforcing commands at home for long-term success.
  5. Ongoing Support: Additional group classes and advanced training programs are available after puppy training to continue building on your puppy’s progress.

Dog Training Elite gives owners the tools and support they need to raise a well-behaved puppy without the frustration of trial and error.

A dog being trained with Dog Training Elite - book puppy obedience training in Columbia, SC today.

Start Obedience Training with Your Puppy Today


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The first few months of a puppy’s life are the most important for shaping their behavior, but training during this stage doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right approach, even the most energetic dogs can learn obedience and self-control.

Dog Training Elite provides expert guidance to make puppy training effective and rewarding. Our hands-on techniques keeps you actively involved in the process, teaching you how to reinforce good behavior even after the sessions are completed.

Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about our training programs.

Get Your Free Assessment

You and your canine companion really can have it all. See how easy it can be to become a member of the elite pup society by requesting a free consultation today!

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Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Matthew Wilson
    Jan. 19, 2026
    Justin was through in his demonstration of expected dog behaviors, and of the different programs available.
  • michael varallo Sr.
    Nov. 12, 2025
    Super program Super Trainer Great start for our Charlie
  • Stephen Lynch
    Dec. 19, 2025
    Justin dealt with our dog at the craziest he'd been yet and took it in stride. Really impressed with their methods and how they walk owners through what to do!
  • Gail Marcum
    Dec. 12, 2025
    This session was really needed. We worked on "place" with our wild puppy. Instructions were great and puppy is learning with us
  • Natasha Stamps
    Jan. 8, 2026
    Justin and his team are amazing trainers. 10/10 recommend!
  • Lu
    Jan. 5, 2026
    We had our assessment today with Justin and he was awesome! He was professional, knowledgeable, and down to earth. We can’t forget about his fur co-assessor Louie!! So adorable!
  • Sharon
    Dec. 31, 2025
    Today was first day of training our 16 week old black labrador. Her name is Pupp. Super energetic. Justin totally patient. Provides us as a family confidence. Our dog loves him!
  • Melissa
    Dec. 23, 2025
    I was hesitant to use a trainer but my Luna got to be too much to handle on my own. Still a ways to go, but After 5 sessions I can take her on a walk and not have to worry about her chasing cars, people, or trying to pull me with the leash. I am thankful for our trainer in giving us the tools we need to be able to enjoy having Luna with us enjoying more than just our home.
  • Ted Smith
    Nov. 14, 2025
    Awesome first session with Bear! Thanks Justin!
  • Tina Boutte
    Dec. 4, 2025
    Justin was very professional and pleasant to talk with. He explained the process very well and provided a on-site demonstration with his dog Louie. Awesome experience.
  • Mary BACO
    Dec. 3, 2025
    My first training session with Logan, it was great. We made a lot of progress with Daisy that I will work on over this week. All of my training received with Elite/Midlands has been great. THANKS!
  • Ben Ott
    Nov. 20, 2025
    Highly recommended!! Great experience and great trainers
  • Marvin Carraway
    Aug. 21, 2025
    Can't say enough positive things about Justin. Justin is truly an elite trainer who is very modest and well grounded.
  • Loghin Livingston
    Nov. 11, 2025
    The team has been outstanding from start to finish. Their professionalism and dedication made the process seamless, from helping me find the right dog to guiding us through training from 10 weeks to 15 months. My Service Dog now performs with near-perfect accuracy, and thanks to their expertise, I’ve been able to move away from the medication I once relied on. I’m incredibly grateful for this team and all they’ve done to help my dog and me reach this level of success.
  • Ashley Roberts
    Nov. 5, 2025
    We have a 10 month old English Setter. We have had 5 sessions with Justin so far and it has been an amazing experience. We have learned so much and our dog Penny has too! We did our first lesson out in public yesterday and I was so nervous but Justin met me at the store and took control of her because he knew I was nervous and she did great! I feel much more confident in my own ability to handle her in public now which will open up so many possibilities for us to travel with her and experience new things. I HIGHLY recommend Justin and his crew! We did another week long board and train program and it just wasn’t effective but having Justin come and train us all in our environment has been a game changer for us. Justin also brings his dogs to help socialize and train and offers group classes on weekends too!
  • Darren Bean
    Oct. 27, 2025
    Intro meeting. Straight forward and thorough
  • Bryce Harrington
    Oct. 22, 2025
    Justin has been great at instructing and demonstrating the commands to teach our dog the behaviors we’re looking for. We have seen dramatic improvements in our dog’s behavior in just two lessons. We would recommend Dog Training Elite Midlands to anyone.
  • Evija7
    Oct. 17, 2025
    We were very pleased with our trainer Laird and Justin! Very professional and they know how to make training effective. They trained us how to train our dog. We highly recommend them and looking forward to get our dog qualified as service dog.
  • LG BENAUER
    Aug. 22, 2025
    Laird is an amazing trainer. Lotty and I are learning so much! She seems to know how my puppy is going to respond and instructs me how to handle her response. Laird is very professional and kind a rare combination.
  • Melissa Spring
    Oct. 14, 2025
    First session in and she’s great, very knowledgeable, understanding and helpful as we start to train our sweet puppy!